The NRA Response to the Newtown Shooting Is Finally Here

Four and a half days after a 20-year-old man carried legal guns into a Connecticut elementary school and killed 20 small children and their educators, the National Rifle Association broke its silence on the Newtown massacre with a brief statement late Tuesday afternoon. There's not much information in the "important statement" other than that the NRA will be holding a "major" press conference in Washington this Friday and making "meaningful contributions." But the gun lobby did explain its much maligned social-media blackout as having to do with "respect for the families." Here's the full text:

National Rifle Association of America is made up of four million moms and dads, sons and daughters – and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown.

Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting.

The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.

The NRA is planning to hold a major news conference in the Washington, DC area on Friday, December 21.